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Why Do Cats Sleep So Much All the Time?

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If you’ve ever been jealous of how much sleep your cat gets, you’re not alone. According to the National Sleep Foundation, cats snooze an average of 15 hours per day, and some even catch zzz’s for up to 20 hours at a time. Sounds like the perfect amount, if you ask us. So, why do cats sleep so much all the time? 

According to Catster, a typical cat’s sleeping habits come down to evolution, nutritional habits, and physiology. As you may know, kitties are natural predators, and in the wild, they need to hunt in order to get a nice meal. All that hard work of seeking out prey and chasing it down can get exhausting, so cats need a little more R&R than other animals in order to properly recharge. And your precious pet probably still feels the same need to reboot — even if their “hunting” only consists of running to the food bowl, or to your hand for a favorite treat.

As the National Sleep Foundation points out, cats also have a few enemies that they need to worry about while out in the wild. So, if you think about it, it’s pretty smart that kitties stay a little more low-key during the day to protect themselves. While your little domestic fluff-ball obviously has much less to worry about than a wild feline, it’s safe to say that a cat never really stops being a cat by nature — and that’s part of the reason why we love them so much.

(Photo Credit: Giphy)

It’s worth noting that sleep is especially important for younger cats. According to Cats International, most of a kitten’s growth happens while they’re snoozing. So, if you have a very young cat (or a very old senior cat, for that matter), it’s probably best not to disturb them at all unless it’s an emergency. But if you notice your cat’s sleep habits suddenly changing rapidly — at any age — you should definitely make an appointment with the vet. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

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